Press Release

Seminole County Farm Owners Receive Centennial Farm Award

OKLAHOMA CITY — Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Melvena Heisch announced that an Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award has been presented to the owners of a Seminole County farm. Terry and Donnita Ward of Eden Prairie, Minn., own the Newell Farm located southeast of Shawnee. The family has grown hay and pecans, and run cattle since great-grandparents Hugh and Mary Newell settled the land in 1914.

To qualify for a Centennial Farm or Ranch Award, a property must be owned by a family member for at least 100 years and must be operated or occupied by a family member or leased out by a family member over the age of 65. The property must include a minimum of 40 acres and gross annual sales of at least $1,000. The Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have sponsored the Centennial Farm and Ranch Awards for 27 years. The Newell Farm is the second property in Seminole County to be honored.

For further information about the Centennial Farm and Ranch Program, please contact Glen R. Roberson at 405-521-6387 or groberson@okhistory.org.

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.